All systems go for Rally Saudi Arabia 2025

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The 2025 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) reaches its final stop as Rally Saudi Arabia commences with the Jameel Motorsport Super Special Stage, in Jeddah, on Nov. 26. (Supplied)
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The 2025 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) reaches its final stop as Rally Saudi Arabia commences with the Jameel Motorsport Super Special Stage, in Jeddah, on Nov. 26. (Supplied)
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Updated 25 November 2025
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All systems go for Rally Saudi Arabia 2025

  • Rally Saudi Arabia 2025, from Nov. 26–29, supported by Jameel Motorsport, represents the Kingdom’s debut on the global rally championship stage
  • 17 stages will test the world’s top drivers and co-drivers across mountain tracks, rocky formations, sand dunes, and gravel plains

JEDDAH: The FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) reaches its final stop, on Wednesday, as Rally Saudi Arabia 2025 commences with the 5.22km Jameel Motorsport Super Special Stage, in Jeddah.

Rally Saudi Arabia 2025, from Nov. 26–29, supported by Jameel Motorsport, represents the Kingdom’s debut on the global rally championship stage. The event is supervised by the Ministry of Sports, organized by the Saudi Arabian Federation for Automobiles and Motorcycles, and marketed by Saudi Motorsport.

The 17 stages will test the world’s top drivers and co-drivers across mountain tracks, rocky formations, sand dunes, and gravel plains, combining fast straights with technical turns. These challenges will unfold amid striking natural scenery, including winding valleys, steep slopes, and rugged terrain.

Prior to the start of the final round, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sports and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, said: “The Kingdom’s hosting of the World Rally Championship is an extension of the successes that have established the Kingdom’s position on the world sports map.”

For his side, Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al Abdullah Al Faisal, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Arabian Federation for Automobiles and Motorcycles and the Saudi Motorsports Company, expressed his pride and honor in the Kingdom hosting the final round of the World Rally Championship (WRC) for the first time in its history.

He pointed out that the participation of Saudi drivers Hamza Bakhashab and Saeed Al Mouri in the final round represents an important opportunity to gain experience and enhance the level of competition, and highlights the advanced position that Saudi talents have reached in various sports.

The 19.36km Al Fasallyah test will be run morning and afternoon, sandwiching the 20.12km Moon Stage – a huge challenge for crews writing pace notes from scratch. Thursday's final challenge comes courtesy of the 11.33km Khulays stage, again run twice before teams return to Jeddah for service and a second attempt of the Jameel Motorsport Super Special.

Friday ventures furthest from base, with stages reaching deep into the Saudi interior. The marathon day features two runs through three stages, starting with the 11.69km Alghullah, followed by the 30.58km Um Al Jerem. The loops conclude with runs through the technical 28.59km Wadi Almatwi stage, offering a more enclosed, winding character as crews head back towards service.

Saturday’s finale begins with the 16.39km Thabhan stage, before crews tackle the rally’s longest test – the 32.88km Asfan stage run just once.

The rally concludes with the Thabhan 2 Wolf Power Stage (16.39km), providing a substantial points-scoring opportunity with championship implications potentially still hanging in the balance.


Atletico hammered but hold off Barca to reach Copa del Rey final

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Atletico hammered but hold off Barca to reach Copa del Rey final

  • Atletico, who clung on desperately in the final stages, returned to the final for the first time since 2013

BARCELONA: Atletico Madrid struggled through a 3-0 Copa del Rey semifinal second leg defeat at Barcelona on Tuesday but scraped into the final 4-3 on aggregate.
The Spanish champions almost produced a comeback for the ages after their 4-0 first leg defeat in early February, but fell just short at Camp Nou.
Youngster Marc Bernal netted twice for the record 32-time winners and Raphinha scored a penalty as Barcelona tried in vain to claw back Diego Simeone’s side’s lead.
Atletico, who clung on desperately in the final stages, returned to the final for the first time since 2013.
They will face Real Sociedad or Athletic Bilbao, who meet Wednesday in the second semifinal second leg.
Barcelona came out flying nd Fermin Lopez’s long-range effort just over the bar set the tone, as Hansi Flick’s side threw everything they had at a potential comeback.
They were dealt an early setback when Jules Kounde went off injured in the opening stages. Antoine Griezmann came close against his former side as Atletico threatened on the counter-attack.
Ferran Torres fired wide and had a shot saved low at the near post by Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso before Barcelona took the lead.
Teenage star Lamine Yamal drilled across the face of goal for Bernal to finish from close range, with one 18-year-old setting up another.
Ademola Lookman headed narrowly off-target for Atletico and came to rue the miss as Barca doubled their advantage before the interval.
Spain midfielder Pedri was tripped in the box by Marc Pubill and Raphinha sent Musso the wrong way from the spot.
Joao Cancelo almost grabbed the third but his shot was beaten away by Musso at full stretch, with Diego Simeone’s team on the ropes.
Bernal set up a frantic finale when he volleyed home Cancelo’s swirling cross to take Barca within one goal of the crumbling Rojiblancos.
Flick put center-back Ronald Araujo up front for the final stages, in search of a fourth goal to “make the impossible possible,” as he called on his team to do before the game.
Gerard Martin hammered narrowly over the bar as Barca turned the screw, with fans roaring the team on through six minutes of stoppage time.
The Rojiblancos fended off Barca and booked their place in the Seville final on April 18.